Ski apparatus



R. P. BROWN Aug. 14, 1951 SKI APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 20, 1948 INVENT(\)R. 3 flint QM R. P. BROWN SKI APPARATUS Aug. 14, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 20, 1948 Patented Aug. 14, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SKI APPARATUS Robert Paul Brown, White Plains, N. Y.

Application April 20, 1948, Serial No. 22,182

9 Claims. (01. 280-21) This invention relates to a novel ski and a novel handle arrangement for interconnecting a pair of skis to provide a sled-like arrangement permitting relative angular displacement of the skis for steering purposes.

In the present arrangement, a pair of skis of novel construction are interconnected by a quickly detachable handle frame, which is pivotally connected to the skis so that the frame may be moved between an upright, supporting position and a collapsed position, the elements of which frame can be quickly disconnected from each other and from the skis for compact, economical storage.

A novel arrangement is provided for maintaining the skis in fixed lateral relation while providing for a relative angular displacement of the skis. For this purpose, eachski has a transverse sleeve at its forward end which receives a tubular bearing end on a'handle. The handles are of tubular construction, including an intermediate elongated portion and reversely directed bent ends. One bent end of each handle is inserted in asleeve on a ski so that it projects thereinto in a laterally inward direction. This engagement provides the pivotal connections between the handles and the sleeves.

A pair of clamps interconnect the elongated portions of the handles, and each clamp preferably comprises a pair of substantially flat plates having mating, semi-cylindrical offsets receiving the handles. The plates are clamped together by suitable quick acting means such as wing nut and bolt arrangements.

The arrangement thus far described provides for oscillation of the handle bearing portions, and the skis, about the elongated handle portions as axes. To limit such oscillation and prevent disengagement of the handles from'the skis, a spreader is provided. This spreader is in the form of a rod extending between the inner'ends of the handle bearing portions and having offset ends fitting therein. These ofi'set ends prevent laterposes while, at the ,same. time, limiting the extent of such angular movement. Another ,novel featureis a combined foot. plate and brake mounted on each skiins'uch position that, when a skier stands on the foot plates and grasps the handle frame in the upright position, the skier is in the usual skiing posture. For this purpose, a saddle is mounted intermediate the ends of each ski and pivotally supports a foot plate for vertical oscillation thereof. The pivotal mounting is nearer the rear end of the foot plate so that the skier normally tilts the plates for- Wardly. A snow engaging fin is formed on or secured to the rear end of each plate, so that the skier can tilt the plates rearwardly to engage the fin in the snow to brake the skis either together or separately. This action is assisted by the supporting action of the handle frame.

The skis, per se, are of a novel tubular construction, greatly increasing the strength-weight ratio. The snow engaging surface is formed by the base of an elongated channel having its flanges formed with reentrant portions. An elongated, transversely arched, upper member has flanges interfitted or interlocked with the reentrant portions to provide a tubular crosssection for the skis.

It is therefore among the objects of this invention to provide a novel, tubular ski.

Another object is to provide a novel sled-like arrangement incorporating a pair of skis and a handle frame detachably intercollecting the skis against lateral displacement while providing for relative angular displacement of the skis.

A further object is to provide a novel brak-.

ing and foot plate arrangement for the sled-like arrangement, coordinated with the handle frame. These, and other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation view of a device Referring to the drawings, the ski-sled type' device of the invention is illustrated at It! as comprising a pair of substantially identical skis plates 35,,- 35' are so located that a skiersbhfiding on the .fogt plates can readily grasp handle structure 58 when the skier is in the usual sk1- ing posture.

Skis l5, [5' are of a novel tubular construction, and as the skis are identical in construction, only ski [5 will be described in detail. The

ski includes a lower elongated channel member l6 whose base I! acts as the snowrunning face of the ski and has suitable means, such .as ,a. groove l8 (Fig. 6), stabilizing the ski against latral slidingmovement. The flanges 19 of channel member 16 are bent inwardly to form reentrant portions 2! spaced slightly from the flan es. 'The ski also includes an upper, transversely archedelongated member 26 which has longitudinal flanges 27 interfitted with reentrant portions '21 of flanges 19. The two interlocked members It and 26 form a'tubular, reinforced structu-refor ski l5. Channel l6 has an upturned forward end 22, which forms thetoe of the ski, and base I! is continued beyond'flanges l9 and curled on itself to format sleeve for a purpose to be described. The forward end of arched member 23 has fla ges 23 which are riveted or otherwise secured to toe 22, and the rear end is flattened and bent down into channel I6, as-at -29, to close'the rear end of the-tubular structure. Thus, a completely 'enclosedyhollow tubular structure is provided' for the ski. 'The'sarne reference numerals, primed, have been used to designate the correspending elements of'ski 15'. I

Intermediate the ends of ski 15, a channel shaped saddle 36 is riveted or otherwise secured to arched member 26. Forthis purpose, the base of cha-nnel 3'6 has-an arched portion 51 conforming --to member 26 and flattened portions -68 resting on the reentrant flange portions 21 of member 16. EI hefiangs-39 of channel saddle 36 are triangular, and the apex of each flangesup ports a rivet 4| acting as a bearing for foot plate 3'5.

Foot plate is a channel member whose base 42 has lon-g-itudinal anti-slip grooves 43. Flanges are deeper at the rear end and are continued around the torward end of the foot plate as at 46 (Fig. 7). and around the rear end as at 61. A shoe conforming structurei-s thus provided, and struckfout loops m may receive straps to secure the skiers foot to "the foot plate. Snow engaging brake fin '45 has a flange 49 secured to therearpart ofplate3 5 by rivets "or the like.

It will be noted that the'pi'votal support for platel 35 'on-sad'dle 36 isnearer the rear end of thexpla'te so that the skiernormally tends to-tip the plate forward, retracting fin 45. The plate islgsoilo'cated thata .skier standing thereon and grasping handle structure '59 naturally assumes the usual skiing posture. Thus, when braking is desired, the skier can force himself'backward by :the handle structure -to tilt plate 35 rearwardly todig-fin .45 into the snow.

Handle structure 56 is an important feature of the invention, and includes a pair of handles .55. $15 of tubular material. The lower end of 4 each handle has an inwardly bent bearing portion 56, 56 inserted into sleeves 25, 25' in a laterally inward direction and having close bearing fits therein. The upper ends 51, 51' of the handle are bent outwardly to form handles, and may have grips 58, 58' thereon. It will be noted that handles 55, are thus hinged to skis I5, l5 and may be swung from a collapsed position adjacentthe skis to an upright position or even :to a towing or drawing position.

Lateral outward displacement of handles 55,

- 55 and thus of skis l5, I5 is prevented by clamps 60, 65. Clamp 60 includes a pair of plates 6!, 62

having matching semi-cylindrical grooves or 01T- setsfili, 6.3" each embracing one of the handles 55, 55'. Plates 6|, 62 are clamped on the handles by suitable quick acting means such as thumb nut and bolt arrangements 64, 64. Similarly, clamp 65 includes a pair of plates 66, 61 having matching semi-cylindrical,grooves or o lisets 68, -68 and clamped together onto handles 55, 55' by wing nuts 69,69. For strengthening purposes, the plates of both clamps maybeembossed as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. v

It will be noted that handles 55, 55 may'.os cillate about-the axes of their intermediate portions, thus permitting angular movement of the skis relative to each other. This angular movement'i-s limited, in a novel manner, by ahspreader 10 which also prevents the skis from inward displacement relative to the handles. Spreader 10 is a bar or rod having a central portion H and offset ends 12, 72. These ends, and preferably the entire bar 16, are ofconsiderably less crosssectional area than 'the inte rnal area of handle ends 56, 56. Consequently, when spreaderends 12, 12 are set into handle ends'56, 56", they have aloose fit therein (Fig-Also that'the handle ends may be displaced angularly relative to the spreader ends by a limitedamount. This permits relative angular movement of the skis, may be -seen from-Figs; '7 and 8. The "offset, of endsflz, '12 from center portion?! of spreader '10 is suflicient to provide --a butments preventing inward lateraldisplacement of-the skis.

'Normally the device is carried in the knocked down state. To assemble it, handle ends 56, are insertedinto-sleeves 25, 2'5 and spreader '10 has its ends *12, 12' set into'the handle ends. "The two clamps 60, 65 are then clamped to the handles by wing nuts 01-69. The skier straps his shoes onto footplates '35, "35 and supports himself by handle structure -50. By turning-one or both grips 58, 58', the skis -may be angularly adjusted for steering purposes. To brakethe skis, the skier tilts plates 35, 35"backward to dig brake -fins. 45, :45 into the snow."

"The described device thusprovides a novel,- compact -=ski-sled arrangement which is steerable and brakeable. The skis ;-may'-be angularly adjusted while-still held in fixed imaaitaamn at the front end by-spreader-bar l0.

While-a specific embodiment of the invention has been shownand described in detail to illustrate the application of the principle thereof, it; willbe understoodthat the inventionmay be otherwise embodied without departingi from' such principle. f 4

What is claimedfis: a

1. A device of th class .de ibedtpmnr sing. in om in t on, a ai fs is; a ai .o handles each. connec ed t t e rward end of a ski; eachsaid handle having a sleeve; aframe intercom ti said handles a ainst. wrelative\..1atera dis placem nt whi e providing iqamvsmentth r i to permit relative angular movement of the skis; and means extending between said skis and having end portions extending into and loosely mounted within the respective handle sleeves t; limit the relative angular movement of the s is.

2. A device of the class described comprising, in combination, a pair of skis; a pair of handles each pivotally connected to the forward end of a ski, each said handle having a sleeve; a frame interconnecting said handles against relative lateral displacement while providing for movement thereof to permit relative angular movement of the skis; and means extending be tween said skis and having end portions extending into and loosely mounted within the respective handle sleeves to limit the relative angular movement of the skis.

3. A device of the class described comprising, in combination a pair of skis; a pair of handles each connected to the forward end of a ski, each said handle having a sleeve, said handles bein swingable from an upright supporting position to a collapsed position adjacent said skis; a frame disengageably interconnecting said handles against relative lateral displacement while providing for movement thereof to permit relative angular movement of the skis; and removable means extending between said skis and having end portions extending into and loosely mounted within the respective handle sleeves to limit the relative angular movement of the skis.

4. A device of the class described comprising, in combination, a pair oi skis; a pair of handles each pivotally connected to the forward end of a ski, each said handle having a sleeve, said handles being swingable from an upright supporting position to a collapsed position adjacent said skis; a frame disengageably interconnecting said handles against relative lateral displacement While providing for movement thereof to permit relative angular movement of the skis; and removable means extending between said skis and having end portions extending into and loosely mounted within the respective handle sleeves to limit the relative angular movement of the skis.

5. A device of the class described comprising, in combination, a pair of skis; a pair of handles each pivotally connected to the forward end of a ski, said handles being swingable from an upright supporting position to a collapsed position adjacent said skis; a frame interconnecting said handles against lateral displacement while providing for movement thereof to permit relative angular movement of the skis; means operatively associated with said handles and effective to limit the relative angular movement of the skis; a pair of foot plates each mounted, for oscillation in a vertical plane, intermediate the ends of one of said skis, said plates being so located that a user, standing upon said plates in the usual skiing posture, is effectively supported by grasping said handles in their upright position; and a snow engaging fin on each plate movable into operative engagement with the snow, to brake the skis, by oscillation of said plates.

6. A device of the class described comprising, in combination, a pair of skis; a pair of handles each pivotally connected to the forward end of a ski, said handles being swingable from an upright supporting position to a collapsed position adjacent said skis; a frame interconnecting said handles against lateral displacement while providing for movement thereof to permit relative angular movement of the skis; means operatively associated with said handles and effective to limit the relative angular movement of the skis; a pair of saddles each mounted on one of said skis intermediate the ends thereof; a pair of foot plates each pivoted on one of said saddles for oscillation in a vertical plane; the pivotal mounting for each plate being nearer to its rear end than to its front end so that a person standing on the plates tends to tilt them forwardly; and a snow engaging fin on the rear end of each plate movable into operative engagement with the snow, to brake the skis, by oscillation of said plates to tilt the same rearwardly.

7. A device of the class described comprising, in combination, a pair of skis each having a transverse sleeve at its forward end; a pair of handles each having a tubular bearing portion insertable in one of said sleeves; whereby said handles are pivotally cnnnected to said skis; a frame interconnecting said handles against lateral movement while providing for oscillation of said bearing portions to permit relative angular movement of the skis; and means engageable in the inner ends of said bearing portions and operable to limit such oscillation.

8. A device of the class described comprising, in combination, a pair of skis each having a transverse sleeve at its forward end; a pair of handles each having a tubular bearing portion insertable in one of said sleeves and extending inwardly there through, whereby said handles are pivotally connected to said skis; a frame interconnecting said handles against lateral movement while providing for oscillation of said bearing portions to permit relative angular movement of the skis; and a spreader extending between said skis and having offset ends loosely fitting in said bearing portions to provide for such oscillation while limiting the extent thereof, said offset ends preventing inward displacement of said sleeves from said bearing portions.

9. A device of the class described comprising, in combination, a pair of skis each having a transverse sleeve at its forward end; a pair of handles each having a tubular bearing portion insertable in one of said sleeves and extending inwardly there through, whereby said handles are pivotally connected to said skis; a frame disengageably interconnecting said handles against lateral movement while providing for oscillation of said bearing portions to permit relative angular movement of the skis; and a spreader extending between said skis and having offset ends loosely fitting in said bearing portions to provide for such oscillation while limiting the extent thereof, said offset ends preventing inward displacement of said sleeves from said bearing portions.

ROBERT PAUL BROWN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,286,217 Brandes Dec. 3, 1918 1,313,502 Pangborn Aug. 19, 1919 1,440,565 Solbjor Jan. 2, 1923 1,552,990 Hunt Sept. 8, 1925 2,038,077 I-Iaglund Apr. 21, 1936 2,239,213 Artman Apr. 22, 1941 2,377,504 Lermont June 5, 1945 

